Abstract: A computer implemented method, a computer program product, and a data processing system manage regions within a virtual universe. A current location of an avatar is identified within a virtual universe, the current location being within a currently populated region. A vectored movement of the avatar is identified. Any adjacent region that may probabilistically encounter a horizon of the avatar within a region activation time of the virtual universe is identified. If the adjacent region is deactivated, then the adjacent region is activated. An unpopulated region that is currently active is identified, wherein the unpopulated region is within an extended distance from the avatar's current location. The unpopulated region is then deactivated.

Abstract: A system and method enabling the search for a three-dimensional virtual world object across the universe of virtual worlds by utilizing a two-step search process to first identify the object and second, to actively locate and generate a URI to all presently manifest instances of that object.

Abstract: A system and method for using an encoding module in a virtual world server for: receiving scene data including a description of at least one virtual object and underlying terrain associated with the scene; organizing the description of the at least one virtual object into a first track segmented by virtual object time slots, organizing the description of the underlying terrain into a second track segmented by terrain time slots; and storing the descriptions in persistent storage as separate files where users can retrieve and render the separate files.

Abstract: Security is optimized in the context of a credential transformation service (CTS) by utilizing a web services client runtime to gather information for determining whether or not a target web service is hosted in a security domain used by a client application and for determining whether or not the target web service uses an authentication mechanism substantially identical to that used by the client application. The gathered information is carried in an endpoint reference (EPR) of the target web service. In response to the client receiving the EPR, the client applies an optimization process to eliminate a possible unnecessary invocation of the CTS, wherein the target web service is an authoritative manageable resource having minimal or no responsibility for providing its identity, and having minimal or no responsibility for advertising any creation and destruction lifecycle related events.

Abstract: A system and method enabling the search for a three-dimensional virtual world object across the universe of virtual worlds by utilizing a two-step search process to first identify the object and second, to actively locate and generate a URI to all presently manifest instances of that object.

Abstract: Providing tracking information about events in a virtual world using a computer is presented including: causing the computer to provide a re-usable code portion, the re-usable code portion configured with a unique identifier and an address of an external data storage, causing the computer to configure at least a set of events to be tracked for sending information about tracked events to the external data storage; causing the computer to associate the re-usable code portion with a virtual object to be tracked in the virtual world. In some embodiments, methods are presented wherein the causing the computer to associate the re-usable code portion with the virtual object comprises causing the computer to integrate the re-usable code portion on a source code level into the virtual object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that leverages the Operational Support System(s) (OSS) and Business Support system(s) (BSS) of a (e.g., public) computing Cloud with a service to automate virtual instance restarts. For example, under embodiments of the present invention, a failed virtual instance is detected within the Cloud computing environment, and a request for a new virtual instance is received in response thereto. Upon receiving the request, an entitlement of a user associated with the failed virtual instance will be tested. Specifically, a set of authentication calls and checks are deployed in accordance herewith to ensure the integrity of the requests, as well as the authorization of the requester for the resource use. Assuming testing is passed, a countdown timer associated with the failed virtual instance will be decreased. When the countdown timer reaches a predetermined threshold (e.g.

Abstract: The idea of the present invention is to provide a challenge-response mechanism to acquire work scope split range information from the application's Work Scope Split component of the over-utilized resource. By using the work scope split range information, the provisioning system is able to add a new resource, install a new application for that new resource, configure the new and the over-utilized resource's application, and reconfigure the load-balancer in accordance with the work scope split range information. The present invention adds scalability to complex and stateful application programs and allows dynamic provisioning of resources for these application programs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to relates to the management of virtual universe item returns. A method for in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: initiating a return of a item by a user in a virtual universe; granting control of the return of the item to a return agency, the return agency submitting a return request on behalf of the user to a vendor associated with the item; upon approval of the return request by the vendor, sending instructions to the user to destroy the item; and upon confirmation of the destruction of the item by the user, crediting the user for the return.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for providing compartmentalized security in product reviews. A central authoritative state module within a compartmentalized security mechanism identifies a clearance level associated with a user that has been authenticated. Responsive to the clearance level of the user being sufficient to access the information, the central authoritative state module determines whether the information requires a simulation to be executed. Responsive to the information failing to require execution of a simulation, a coordination module in the compartmentalized security mechanism retrieves the information. A display and input interaction module on a client system then displays the information in accordance with the clearance level of the user thereby forming displayed information. Displaying the information in accordance with the clearance level of the user comprises displaying in detail only portions of the information of the product that the user has access to.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of systems management on IT-resources using web services. An improved method proposes a single web service implementation which dynamically and automatically generates multiple WSDLs for respective multiple resource type classes. This implementation is model-agnostic, as it doesn't require any knowledge about the underlying model, be that a resource model, or any other model in question, and uses introspection of the applied model at the time of invocation for the dynamic WSDL generation. The state of the resource is maintained within the instrumentation of the resource. No additional persistence on top needs to be implemented. A single implementation of a low number of generic web services, basically only two, reduces implementation and maintenance efforts significantly.

Abstract: A system, method, and program storage device for sharing and exchanging virtual objects from different virtual worlds are disclosed. Virtual objects are centrally managed by an inventory service. The inventory service performs data transmission related to virtual objects and data translation related to virtual objects. The inventory service has a repository for storing virtual objects and applies cache policy(s) to local cache memories in virtual worlds to maintain data consistency across the virtual worlds. Based on a publish/subscribe mechanism, each virtual world publishes and subscribes topic notifications related shared virtual objects. The system, method and program storage device are also used for a separate state management of a shared/exchanged virtual object within identical virtual world(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that leverages the Operational Support System(s) (OSS) and Business Support system(s) (BSS) of a (e.g., public) computing Cloud with a service to automate virtual instance restarts. For example, under embodiments of the present invention, a failed virtual instance is detected within the Cloud computing environment, and a request for a new virtual instance is received in response thereto. Upon receiving the request, an entitlement of a user associated with the failed virtual instance will be tested. Specifically, a set of authentication calls and checks are deployed in accordance herewith to ensure the integrity of the requests, as well as the authorization of the requester for the resource use. Assuming testing is passed, a countdown timer associated with the failed virtual instance will be decreased. When the countdown timer reaches a predetermined threshold (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method enabling the search for a three-dimensional virtual world object across the universe of virtual worlds by utilizing a two-step search process to first identify the object and second, to actively locate and generate a URI to all presently manifest instances of that object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for composing and managing a presentation in a virtual world. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for composing and managing a presentation in a virtual world can include arranging a set of slides in a presentation, selecting a location in a portion of a virtual world for displaying the slides and also for attendee avatars viewing the slides, composing movements and gestures of a presenter avatar in coordination with a display of slide content of the slides, and presenting the presentation in the location of the virtual world at the location selected for displaying the slides for the attendee avatars placed the selected location for the attendee avatars while applying the composed movements and gestures of the presenter avatar coordinated with a display of slide content of the slides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restricting access of an application to computer hardware. The apparatus includes both an authentication module and a validation module. The authentication module is within the trusted firmware layer. The purpose of the authentication module is to verify a cryptographic key presented by an application. The validation module is responsive to the authentication module and limits access of the application to the computer hardware. The authentication modules may be implemented in software through a firmware call, or through a hardware register of the computer.

Abstract: A system for centrally managing credential information of a user and a virtual object of a user across a plurality of virtual world (or corresponding virtual world servers) is disclosed. The system includes an identity service module for managing an authentication request (e.g., verifying credential information of a user) from a user and an inventory service module for managing virtual properties of a user. Furthermore, a method for logging in a virtual world by using the system is disclosed. A method for teleporting a virtual property from a virtual world to another virtual world by using the system is disclosed. A method for logging out from a virtual world by using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and system for governing a physical device or application service in a real world through a virtual device in a virtual world. The physical device or application service registers at least one virtual adaptor of the physical device or application service to a virtual device broker. A user creates or composes the virtual device with the at least one virtual adaptor in the virtual device broker. The user commands to the virtual device through a user interface of the virtual device. The at least one virtual adaptor in the virtual device translates the command to a controlling signal to the physical device or application service. The controlling signal operates the physical device or application service according to the command to the virtual device.

Abstract: A system for managing topologies includes a topology data datastore that stores topology information. A topology computer element interfaces with the topology data datastore to create and update a topology of resources. A subscription computer element generates notifications to a user based on at least one of the creating and the updating of the topology of resources and further based on subscription data.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus render views of a computer generated virtual world to a remote viewer. The invention method and apparatus establish an avatar of a resident user as a proxy on behalf of the remote viewer. The computer node of the resident user exports proxy avatar views of the virtual world to the remote viewer. The remote viewer computer renders the exported virtual world views without executing virtual world application programs.